A great piece of little known WWII history about "the few" American fliers who flew for the British in the Battle of Britain. A solid book in every way. Alex Kershaw brings it all together by doing excellent research of the events as they unfolded. From the varied backgrounds of the individual fliers, the politics of the war, and the battle strategy of the Germans and British including quotes from Winston Churchill and Hermann Goering. Kershaw even throws in some vignettes of the German aces into the mix. The actual Battle of Britain is compelling and moving. As an aside, after I finished the book I watched the classic 1969 movie, "Battle of Britain". Even though some of the special effects are dated it is STILL a great movie and the facts and events of the book underpin the movie perfectly. There is nothing quite like the sight and sound of a Spitfire even on celluloid. A definite read for any WWII history buff!

I learned of "THE FEW" while watching "Yanks in the RAF" on "War Stories with Oliver North" on television. I immediately ordered a copy and upon reading found it difficult to put down. In addition to being well researched, comprehensive and very well written it strikes me as a labor of love. This book should be number one on every WWII American aviation enthusiast's book shelf.

Having read Kershaw's two previous WWII narratives, The Bedford Boys and The Longest Winter, I was interested to read the stories he'd collected for The Few. As he's done previously, he scored some great stories of real people, real lives and unreal heroics in the face of the global tragedy of WWII as the Germans sought to destroy England.

I've read some minor criticisms of Kershaw's writing that state he doesn't give enough detail to overall contexts of the battles he references or that his historical facts seem to sometimes be in error. Well, anyone looking for names, dates, places, etc., can look in some dry old history text book for that kind of information. However, if you're interested in reading the personal stories about the people who made history and, in this case, who faced down the evils of those who sought to destroy Britain in 1940-41, then this narrative from Kershaw will be worth your time. Kershaw hasn't just devoted these stories to the American fly boys that skirted American neutrality laws for the chance to fly with the RAF (and mostly were killed long before America even entered the war), but also their British counterparts in the RAF as well as stories from pilots of Germany's Luftwaffe who flew against the RAF.

What I find most intriguing about Kershaw, who is English, is how he has chosen in each book to highlight a small group of Americans. Given that he's a Brit, I would think he might highlight stories from the history of the UK's involvement. If I could ask Kershaw only one question, I'd be most curious to find out his motivation for researching and writing about these small groups of Americans.

Mr. Kershaw's research and access to Art Donahue's and Eugene Tobin's private papers provide a wealth of background never seen before. Kershaw also gives us the details of the efforts to reform the Escadrille Lafayette before the fall of France. Highly Recommended!

Excellent book and the true story of the first American pilots in WWII. The air war battles are discribed in great detail - makes you feel as if you are in the cockpit. How much we owe to these and the brave British and other pilots that made up the RAF in 1940.

I learned much about the "Battle of Britain" and the eight Americans (one was listed on the RAF rosters as Canadian) who faught in it. Occuring before the US entered the war, this account is about the people who defended Britain from Hitler's attempt to destroy the RAF and London before invading the island. Hitler almost succeeded but for the heroism of the entire RAF including the eight Americans who, against the laws if the US enlisted and fought. Well written. Battle accounts are riviting. I highly recommend this book.

This is a great read. So young were these boys who gave their lives for another country before the US entered the war!
Wonderful history!

Exceptional narriative with awsome attention to detail. A great tribute to those who flew. Well done!